Vulpecula ✔️

Diwali.

Ava's POV

I am scared. This whole situation is closer than I thought it would be. Two weeks is all I have. And it's too less. I don't know how to do and what to do. When I gripped Aldrik's mind in my claws, I saw the same terror in his eyes, but then, with some outworldly force he pushed me away and I felt it's impact physically and metally.

If he came to see us, I'm sure he must have paid the others a visit too. So when we reached the hotel, we called all of our friends one by one and made sure they were okay. Apparently Aldrik just paid us a visit. According to Kayden, Aldrik wants me dead and no one else. Because I am the one who will kill him.

We could have left earlier but Diwali is a festival I've always wanted to see. And celebrate.

Kayden is different around me. He is always close to me. He always finds ways to make me smile. I don't know why it bothers me so much. I know he is attractive but he did me wrong. And he is trying to make that wrong right.

He kissed my cheek. And the look on his face was of pure happiness. Of salvation. He is the first man, after papa John to kiss me like that. I never knew he could be so soft with someone. I felt good in that moment. I felt delicate, I felt cherished.

"I'm going to sleep. You woke me up a little too early and I could've murdered you." Clayton groaned and walked to his room.

"Go sleep." I shooed him away mockingly.

I and Kayden sat down in silence. Perhaps I should just forgive him. After all he came all the way to India with me, even after everything. And he protects me. Like he tried to today. But I'm not really sure about that. Does he even deserve it?

"Ava?" He called out softly.

I looked at him with a raised brow. His eyes regarded me in a different light. Like he wants me. And I wonder if I should do the same thing that he did. But that would be too rude. And I would end up feeling bad for my actions later on.

"You're beautiful." He said so softly that I thought I imagined it. His dark eyes lured me in and I felt myself inching closer to him. I stopped a good distance away. But maybe he didn't like the distance. He moved closer and closer. So close that I could feel his breath on my lips.

I began moving away, but his big hand on my lower back stopped me from going anywhere. And I stayed, right in front of him. Looking him in the eye, watching the vulnerability and basking in the feeling of being wanted. I felt powerful in that moment because Kayden kept all the control in my hands. If I pushed him away now, I know he wouldn't dare step this closer to me ever again.

No matter how bad I thought of him, I didn't feel like moving away. I looked at his lips and then at his eyes that were ravishing my soul. I felt stark naked under his gaze, and I was okay with it. I loved it. The thought scared me but at the same time, I wanted more of it. I was starving until this moment.

Then his lips touched mine.

Softly. So slowly. That I was compelled to close my eyes and tilt my neck. I didn't move away because I didn't want to. Not anymore. His right hand cupped the left side of my face delicately. I felt like a fragile doll. It seemed as if Kayden read me. He knew that underneath all the strong facade I put up every day, I was fragile. Breakable.

His left hand pushed me closer towards himself until our bodies were pressed together. His thumb stroked my cheek and I parted my lips so he could kiss me properly.

My first kiss.

His lips moved slowly against mine. But I could feel it, the tension rising in the room, and the urge to go fast. To devour each other. I felt it pump in my veins. It was so intense that my arms automatically wound around his neck and pressed my bosom closer to his broad and sturdy chest.